Prime Minister Scott Morrison has brushed off criticism about the red-carpet treatment he recently received at an Australian air base.
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Mr Morrison raised eyebrows earlier this month after posting a photo of rolled-out red carpet and an honour guard that greeted him at the Williamtown RAAF Base near Newcastle.
His reception surprised several experts and veterans, who had never seen a ceremonial stair guard for an internal visit to a military base.
"We have nothing to do with that, I mean, I just walk out of a plane and whatever is there is there," Mr Morrison told Newcastle 2HD radio on Wednesday.
"I have nothing to do with what the defence forces do when you step out of a plane. So it was nice of them to receive it. It wasn't the first time that's happened."
However, such receptions are usually reserved for dignitaries and visiting heads of state, not the prime minister.
Mr Morrison said if it were up to him, he would be rolling out red carpet for members of the Australian Defence Force, not the other way around.
Australian Associated Press
